Will AI replace coding in schools? Or is programming more important than ever?

In this episode of At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of the biggest debates in computer science education right now: with AI and “vibe coding” exploding in popularity, do we still need to teach students how to code?

From the latest curriculum and assessment review to the growing influence of generative AI tools, it’s easy to see why some are questioning the future of programming in the classroom. If AI can generate working code in seconds, why are students still wrestling with loops, conditions and syntax errors?

Craig and Dave unpack why that thinking misses the point entirely.

This conversation goes far beyond writing code. It’s about what students actually learn through programming: resilience, problem solving, creativity, and the ability to debug messy, unpredictable outcomes. Whether it’s tackling a stubborn bug or building a solution from scratch, coding remains one of the most powerful ways to develop computational thinking skills that AI simply can’t replace.

They also explore the risks of over-relying on AI in education and industry, including the loss of junior developer pathways and the deeper issue of accountability when AI-generated systems fail.

Plus, Dave introduces a bold idea for the future of assessment: Code AI – a new framework for rethinking NEA that embraces AI rather than fighting it.

If you teach computer science, work in education, or just care about the future of tech skills, this one is a must-watch.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations from At the Chalk Face.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online


#AtTheChalkface #ArtificialIntelligence  #DigitalLiteracy #EdTech #Teaching #ComputingEducation #ComputerScience  #AIinEducation #Programming #CraigAndDave #EdTech #VibeCoding #TeachingComputing  #coding #codingforbeginners #computercoding 

At the chalk face: The UK social media ban debate

AI, social media, and online safety – where do we draw the line?

In this episode of At the chalk face, Craig and Dave tackle one of the biggest challenges facing education, technology, and government today: protecting young people online in a world where social media, AI, and digital tools are increasingly intertwined.

With ministers exploring tougher measures around social media access for children, the conversation asks a surprisingly difficult question: what actually counts as social media anymore?

From TikTok and Snapchat to AI chatbots, collaborative documents, YouTube, and educational platforms, the lines are becoming increasingly blurred.

Join Craig and Dave as they discuss:
✅ The government's plans to improve online safety
✅ Whether social media bans can really work
✅ Lessons from Australia's approach
✅ The growing role of AI in education and online interaction
✅ The challenge of balancing child protection with digital literacy
✅ How potential legislation could affect schools, teachers, and learning platforms
✅ Whether educational tools could be caught up in future restrictions

As former Computer Science teachers, Craig and Dave explore the real-world implications for classrooms, students, parents, and educators, while asking what practical solutions might actually make a difference.

💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts:
What should count as social media in 2026?
Should AI chatbots be included in age restrictions?
How can we better protect young people online without limiting educational opportunities?
Leave a comment and join the discussion.

🔗 Discover more teaching resources and support for Computer Science teachers at Craig'n'Dave

 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations from At the Chalk Face.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online


#AtTheChalkface #OnlineSafety #SocialMedia #ArtificialIntelligence #aiineducation  #DigitalLiteracy #EdTech #Teaching #ComputingEducation #ComputerScience #OnlineSafetyForChildren #EducationTechnology #CraigAndDave #Teachers #Schools #DigitalID  #Education #EducationPodcast  #ComputingTeacher #ComputerScienceTeacher #TeamCompSci #craigndave  #TeacherSupport #EducationCommunity  #UKTeachers #socialmediaban

Are you thinking of leaving teaching this year? This is our story.

In this honest and personal episode of At the Chalk Face, Craig and Dave share the story of why they eventually stepped away from full-time teaching after years in the profession. From leadership responsibilities and workload pressures to mental health, career progression, and finding a new path in education, this is a candid conversation about the realities many teachers face.

Craig reflects on the stress and burnout that led him to leave the classroom, while Dave discusses the career crossroads that made him rethink his future in school leadership. Together, they explore the challenges of modern teaching, the importance of wellbeing, and why they still remain deeply connected to education despite no longer being full-time teachers.

Whether you're considering a career change, feeling overwhelmed by the demands of teaching, or simply interested in hearing the journey behind Craig'n'Dave, this episode offers a thoughtful and relatable discussion.

💬 We'd love to hear from you. 
Have you ever considered leaving teaching? What are the biggest challenges facing educators today? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

👍 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations from At the Chalk Face.

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online


#Teaching #TeacherLife #Education #TeacherWellbeing #Burnout #SchoolLeadership #TeachingCareer #MentalHealth #EducationPodcast #AtTheChalkFace #ComputingTeacher #ComputerScienceTeacher #TeamCompSci #CraignDave #TeacherSupport #EducationCommunity #TeacherBurnout #TeachingJourney #UKTeachers #TeacherStories

Are extra roles in school actually worth it?  - Teaching Careers Explained

In this episode of At The Chalk Face, we (Craig & Dave) dive into the paid and voluntary opportunities that come along in teaching — from exam marking and mentoring trainee teachers to governor roles, subject leadership, CAS involvement, maternity cover posts, and more.

Some opportunities boosted career progression. Some improved teaching practice. Some created amazing experiences for students. And some… probably weren’t worth the stress 😅

Honest reflections, funny stories, practical advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at the twists and turns a teaching career can take.

Whether you’re an ECT, Head of Department, aspiring SLT member, or simply curious about what opportunities are really worth saying yes to, this episode is packed with relatable discussion and insight for computer science teachers and beyond.

👇 We’d love to hear from you in the comments:
What extra roles have you taken in school?
Were they worth it?
What would you avoid next time?

🎧 Subscribe to At The Chalk Face for more honest conversations about teaching, pedagogy, workload, careers, and computer science education.



👉 Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more Computing education content from Craig’n’Dave!

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online


#ComputerScience #Teaching #Teachers #Education #TeacherLife #SLT #SchoolLeadership #GCSEComputing #ALevelComputing #AtTheChalkFace #CraigndDave

At the chalk face: Teaching - Would we do it again?

Craig & Dave take a look back at their teaching careers and ask - If we could go back and do it all over... would we? 🤔

In this very personal episode of At the Chalkface, we reflect on nearly 30 years in education — from our first terrifying lessons and early career mistakes, to leadership, imposter syndrome, tutor groups, and the students who stay with you forever.

This isn’t a pedagogy-heavy episode or a resource plug. It’s an honest conversation about teaching careers, the realities of school life, and whether the profession is still worth it. Along the way, they share stories about:

🎓 Starting out as nervous new teachers
💻 Coming into teaching from industry
😅 Feeling completely out of your depth
📚 Why subject knowledge isn’t everything
👨‍🏫 Great mentors and leadership lessons
🚬 The “creative” ways they supported difficult students
❤️ The tutor groups and students they’ll never forget

Whether you’re an experienced teacher, an ECT, thinking of leaving the profession, or wondering if teaching is right for you at all — this episode will probably feel very familiar.

👇 We’d love to hear from you in the comments:
What have you done to reach the students that other teachers struggled with?

📢 Your turn: Tell us your teaching story in the comments! Why did you get into teaching?

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more Computing education content from Craig’n’Dave!

🔗 More from us:
Website & resources – Craigndave.org
Smart Revise – smartrevise.online



#Teaching #Education #Pedagogy #CraigAndDave #AtTheChalkface #TeacherLife 
#CraigAndDave  #ComputerScience #atthechalkface #TeamCompSci #CraignDave #Teaching #AtTheChalkface #UKTeachers #ComputingTeacher #TeacherStories #GCSEComputerScience #ALevelComputerScience

At the chalk face: Cambridge OCR at the Festival of Computing 2026

We’re delighted to have Cambridge OCR as one of this year’s sponsors for the Craig’n’Dave Festival of Computing 2026!

In this interview, we catch up with Ceredig, Subject Advisor for Computing at Cambridge OCR, to discuss the future of Computing education, curriculum developments, classroom challenges, how teachers can help shape what comes next and what they will be up to at this year's festival.

With a long-standing role in UK Computing education, Cambridge OCR has supported teachers and students since 2012 through qualifications including GCSE Computer Science, A Level Computer Science, Cambridge Nationals and Cambridge Technicals. Their focus on fair, accessible and straightforward assessment continues to make a real impact in classrooms across the UK.

Find out more about Cambridge OCR: 
www.ocr.org.uk
[email protected]

If you’re a secondary Computing teacher, this is a must-watch conversation packed with insight, ideas and discussion around the future of the subject.

📍 Join us at the Festival of Computing 2026
📅 Wednesday 1st July 2026
📍 Bromsgrove School

Expect a full day of inspiration, innovation and collaboration for secondary Computing teachers, including:
✅ High-quality CPD
✅ Inspiring speakers and exhibitors
✅ Networking with like-minded educators
✅ The chance to meet Cambridge OCR face-to-face
✅ Discussions shaping the future of Computing education

🎟️ Grab your Festival tickets here: Festivalofcomputing.com

A huge thank you to Ceredig and the team at Cambridge OCR for supporting the Festival of Computing 2026 and taking the time to chat with us.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more Computing education content from Craig’n’Dave!


#FestivalOfComputing #CraigAndDave #ocr  #ComputerScience #GCSEComputerScience #ALevelComputerScience #TeacherCPD #EducationUK #ComputingEducation #EdTech #TeachingResources #DigitalExams #atthechalkface

At the chalk face: The 4 revision methods that actually work

Exams are coming… feeling the pressure? Good. It means you care.

In this episode of At the Chalkface, we cut through the noise and focus on the four revision methods that actually work — no gimmicks, no fluff, just proven strategies that help students retain knowledge and perform when it counts.

Before we dive in, we tackle the big dos and don’ts of revision — from why starting early matters to how short, focused sessions can beat hours of ineffective cramming. We also call out some common traps (yes, endlessly reading notes and highlighting everything 👀) and explain why they’re holding students back.

Then it’s onto the good stuff:
🔹 How to use Cornell notes for powerful active recall
🔹 Brain dumps & spider diagrams to deepen understanding
🔹 Smarter ways to use flashcards (that actually stick)
🔹 And why past papers are still one of the most effective tools out there

Along the way, we break down why these methods work, how to use them properly, and how to build them into a realistic revision routine — without burnout.

If you’re a teacher supporting students through exam season, or a student looking to revise more effectively, this one’s for you.

Watch now and start revising smarter, not harder.

#RevisionTips #GCSERevision #ALevelRevision #StudySmart #AtTheChalkface #TeachingTips #ExamPreparation #ActiveRecall #SpacedRepetition

08:12 - Cornell notes & self testing
13:47 - Mind maps
17:25 - Flash cards
26:10 - Past papers

For more from us - https://craigndave.org

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real talk from the classroom.

#ComputerScience #TeachingCoding #EdTech #CraigAndDave #GoCodeIt #AtTheChalkface #craigndave #revision

At the chalk face: Built by a Teacher, for Teachers: The Story of Go Code It

In this episode of At the Chalkface, we’re joined by Pete Hudson — computer science teacher, Head of Department, and creator of Go Code It — a programming platform built by a teacher, for teachers.

After years of frustration with platforms disappearing overnight (and taking hours of hard work with them), Pete decided enough was enough… and built his own.

We chat about the challenges of teaching programming at scale, the hidden cost of “free” platforms, and why stability matters just as much as functionality. Pete also talks us through how Go Code It supports teachers day-to-day, from setting and tracking student work to automatic marking and feedback, helping to reduce workload and improve visibility across the class.

We also explore how our very own Time2Code fits into the platform, giving teachers and students access to a wide range of programming problems in a more structured and manageable way.

If you’re a computing teacher looking for a more dependable approach to teaching programming — or you’ve ever felt the frustration of having the rug pulled from under you — this is definitely one to watch.

Find out more about Go Code It: https://gocodeit.online

For more from us - https://craigndave.org

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real talk from the classroom.

#ComputerScience #TeachingCoding #EdTech #CraigAndDave #GoCodeIt #AtTheChalkface #CraignDave

At the chalk face: Why AQA backs our Craig'n'Dave Festival of Computing 2026.

A Behind-the-Scenes chat with this year's Festival of Computing Headline Sponsor AQA.

In this special Festival of Computing episode, Craig & Dave sit down with Frances Sparrow, Subject Lead for Computer Science at AQA, to talk all things qualifications, classroom impact, and what it really means to support computing teachers across the UK.

AQA aren’t just a familiar name in schools – they’re one of the UK’s largest education charities, setting and marking over half of all GCSEs and A Levels each year. In this conversation, Frances shares how AQA works with thousands of teachers and subject experts to shape qualifications, develop resources, and ultimately support students to succeed.

We also dive into why AQA chose to be the headline sponsor for the Festival of Computing, and what keeps bringing them back year after year. From meaningful teacher feedback to real conversations about curriculum reform, it’s clear this event is about more than just talks – it’s about collaboration at the heart of computing education.

And of course… it wouldn’t be the Festival of Computing without a bit of fun! 
Expect rubber ducks, QR codes, CPD sessions, and a AQA marketplace stand that’s gone next-level this year. 🦆

Frances also shares exciting updates on:
GCSE and A Level computer science developments.
Digital exams and the future of assessment. 
How teachers can directly influence the future of qualifications.

Plus, we hear why now is the perfect time for teachers to get involved through subject panels and direct feedback routes – not just forums and rumours!

Want to know more about AQA?- www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/computer-science
Book an appointment with Frances - https://shorturl.at/NgSuW

A huge thanks to AQA & Frances for chatting with us.

💡 If you’re a computer science teacher, this is a must-watch insight into how exam boards are evolving and how you can help shape what comes next.

👉 Watch now and join us at the Festival of Computing!

The festival is all about real teaching, real classrooms, and real conversations with fellow computing teachers. Expect inspiring talks, hands-on CPD sessions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with others who understand life at the chalkface.

🗓 Wednesday 1 July 2026
📍 Bromsgrove School

🎟 Find out more and get your tickets: Festivalofcomputing.com
For more from us - craigndave.org

If you’re a secondary computing teacher, this is the one CPD event you won’t want to miss.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and explore more support for teaching Computer Science with Craig’n’Dave.

#FestivalOfComputing #CraigAndDave #AQA #ComputerScience #GCSEComputerScience #ALevelComputerScience #TeacherCPD #EducationUK #ComputingEducation #EdTech #TeachingResources #DigitalExams #atthechalkface

At the chalk face: Differentiation is dead

“Differentiation is dead”… or is it? 🧠🔥

In this week’s At the Chalkface, Craig and Dave dive headfirst into one of the most controversial (and misunderstood) ideas in modern teaching.

We’ve all been there — late-night lesson planning, colour-coded worksheets, three versions of every task, and trying to make sure every learner is “met where they are”. But what if that approach is actually holding students back more than helping them?

In this episode, Craig and Dave challenge the traditional idea of differentiation by task and explore how teaching has evolved into something far more powerful: adaptive teaching through scaffolding.

💡 Instead of dumbing down tasks… we scaffold up.
💡 Instead of lowering expectations… we raise them for everyone.
💡 Instead of labelling ability… we support progress in real time.

We talk about:
Why “all must, most should, some might” might be outdated
How the workload skyrocketed with traditional differentiation
Why struggle isn’t something to avoid in learning
The shift towards whole-class high-challenge teaching
What effective scaffolding actually looks like in practice

From Rosenshine-style modelling to worked examples, sentence starters, and real-time teacher support, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can actually use in the classroom tomorrow.
And yes — we also revisit the infamous “colour-coded worksheet era” 👀

Whether you’re an experienced teacher or just starting out, this conversation will challenge how you think about planning, delivery, and what real progress looks like in the classroom.

👉 Watch now and join the debate: Is differentiation really dead… or just evolving?

Great teaching isn’t just about degrees — it’s about connecting with students, building relationships, and staying one step ahead.

💬 Expect laughs, honest reflections, and some eyebrow-raising stories about life in the classroom — whether you’re a teacher, head of department, or just curious about how schools really work.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and explore more support for teaching Computer Science with Craig’n’Dave.

#ComputerScience #GCSEComputing #ALevelComputing #TeachingTips #TeacherLife #EdTech #CraigAndDave